edbostan

I have got humble bulbs in my Roomster and in 8 years have only replaced a registration plate bulb. Cars are becoming over engineered.

I was told to use a cocktail stick to touch in stone chips as the point is smaller than the unwieldly touch-up brush. I remember that in the past BMW advertised self-healing paint on its cars. What happened to that innovation?

My brother-in-law has a Yeti but he always hankers after driving my Roomster and any opportunity he has the keys.

The article mentioned its quirky design and looks. I find it normal but I was coming from a Mk1 Fiat Multipla.

When we used leaded fuel spark plugs were changed at every service because they became crudded and needed to be cleaned to remove the deposits of combustion. These days they are as clean as a whistle and platinum and iridium tipped so they last much much longer. Mind you the dealer changes them ad hoc even if you have only travelled 5k because at £99 a set they are raking it in. I am on my second set at 42k and 8 years.

I would use already-mixed because if you live in a hard water area you don't want scale and impurities from tap water dumped around the engine and cooling system.

Coming up to 8 years from new. Only done 41k but I still have the thrill as when I bought it new. Paint is still good and the only bulb replaced was for the number plate which was an easy fix. I get the pestering texts and emails from my local dealer to attend launches and special offers for latest models. Why change a good one? Drove through six EU countries in 2019, four up with luggage without a whimper or missed beat. Know the devil you know.

Clearly whoever writes the warranties is more on the ball than some other parts of the Skoda organisation. Hopefully it will turn out to be blocked drainage holes...... My insurance company does not include panny roofs in the windscreen cover. How many companies do?

A proper jag with low slung lines not the high waisted non-distinctive XF range. My mate has a diesel S type and that delivers

I believe that the water pump change might be good advice if the engine is stripped for a belt change but to be honest in 51 years of motoring I have never had a water pump failure or timing chain failure and both components lasted the life of my ownership

Interesting

Are tyre manufacturers only offering 7mm tread depth? I have noticed that tyre tread depths used to be 8mm but on my last two replacements I have measured 7mm. Then no doubt it will be reduced to 6mm.

The metallic sound is probably the hydraulic tappets before the oil takes up the slack

Do you need too? I was talking to my pal about exhausts and how these days they last the life of the car. He still has the factory-fitted exhaust on is 20 years old Passat and mine is 8 years old in my Roomster and there are no signs of perforation or leaking in either vehicle. In our youth exhausts lasted only a year or two before they rusted and perforated. The problem was the sulphur in the fuel which ate through exhausts in a matter of no time. Stainless exhausts were the talk of the town in those days.

My tsi has done it since new but not every time. I have had it for 7 years now and engine has not self destruct.

Satisfying to know it has gone to a good home

Why have Skoda belts got such a short life? Fords recommend 10 years or 100,000 miles. My daughter's Focus Zetec is 10 years old and at 90,000 had the cambelt exchanged and the technician who replaced it said the old belt had no slipes and generally in good condition.

I am done with Skoda dealer servicing. How can they charge £99 for spark plugs (now normally 3, not 4) £139 for aircon servicing (a rise from £79) and £39 for pollen/cabin filter? They are doing their utmost to discredit what remains of their reputation while dissuading customers to use their services. Taking the Mick comes to mind.

I don't take out any warranty after the guarantee period. I have had three new cars and none of them (including my 8 year old Roomster) have presented me with horrendous engine failure or expensive repairs. Just look after it and it will look after you. The worst services I have had have been with Skoda Dealers so I best avoid them. The last dealer service left the airbox secured with one screw with the other two missing and one not screwed down. And they broke the pcv valve when the air filter was replaced.

We have Sonus 1s and Amazon Echos everywhere with the latest being Amazon Echo Show 8. We subscribe to Amazon Music and get all music on every speaker. In fact I am based in Herts and am listening to Imagine Radio right now. If you have a Ring doorbell you can link it to the Echo 8 and see and talk to visitors

I would probe for its history before commitment.

Very tasty. When I also see the paramedics scorch around in their Octavia estates loaded to the gunnels it proves Skoda's worth to the emergency services

You probably have to remove the key from the lock to turn off.

These gizmos put me off buying a new car. My Roomster is the last of the 'dumb' models and I am keeping it

Depths of winter when sales go flat around Christmas